• Presentation on high cost of drugs set for June 13 at Sutter Santa Rosa

• Resolutions needed for CMA House of Delegates by June 30

• Nominations needed for Physician Leader award

• SCMA hosts two social events during May

• Get your 2013 Sonoma County Physician Directory!

• Top stories from CMA Alert

• MEDICAL ORGANIZATIONS

• RESOURCES

• CLASSIFIEDS

• APPLICANTS

• ABOUT SCMA

New SCMA vision: Lead Sonoma County into better health

The SCMA board of directors has approved a new five-year strategic plan whose central vision is to lead Sonoma County into better health. The plan, based on the results of a member survey distributed earlier this year as well as comments from local medical CEOs, encompasses a revised mission statement for the medical association, along with statements of SCMA’s vision, values and strategies.

The revised mission of SCMA is “To enhance the health of our communities and promote the practice of medicine by advocating for quality, ethical healthcare, strong physician-patient relationships, and for personal and professional well-being for physicians.” The revision brings more detail and specificity to the previous mission, which was “To support physicians and their efforts to enhance the health of the community.”

Coupled with this revised mission statement is SCMA’s new vision of leading Sonoma County into better health, along with five core values: advocacy, collaboration, integrity, quality and well-being. All those factors support SCMA’s five main strategies for the coming years, described below:

Lead change in health care. Support implementation of the Affordable Care Act, advance legislative advocacy, and increase access to needed care and services.

More details on the new strategic plan will be distributed to local physicians in the coming months.

Still time to register for June 4 Medi-Cal rally in Sacramento

More than 9,000 physicians and other medical professionals statewide have already registered for the June 4 “We Are Medi-Cal” rally in Sacramento, expected to be the largest-ever healthcare demonstration at the State Capitol. Sponsored by the “We Care for California” coalition of healthcare providers, including SCMA, the rally will promote awareness of the threat that looming Medi-Cal cuts pose to healthcare access, especially in rural and underserved communities.

The goal of 10,000 attendees is easily within reach, and all local healthcare workers are urged to register by visiting www.wecareforca.org. Buses to the rally will be leaving from the Kaiser and Sutter medical centers in Santa Rosa between 9 and 10 in the morning on Tuesday, June 4, returning late in the afternoon. The rally is scheduled to run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Box lunches and water will be provided at no cost. Be sure to wear your white coat!

If you can’t spend all day in Sacramento, you can drive there on your own and spend just an hour or two, but you should still register at www.wecareforca.org.

For more details, see the attached flyer.

June 4 Medi-Cal rally flyer

Dr. Rob Nied named SCMA president-elect

The results of the recent SCMA election have been tabulated, and Dr. Rob Nied, a family and sports medicine physician at Kaiser Santa Rosa, has been named SCMA president-elect. He will serve in that post for one year and then become SCMA president in July 2014. The current president-elect, Petaluma gastroenterologist Dr. Stephen Steady, will become president next month.

In addition, three physicians--Drs. Dan Lightfoot, Richard Powers and Jeff Sugarman--were elected as CMA delegates, and four were elected as alternate delegates: Drs. Francesca Manfredi, Rob Nied, Stephen Steady and Regina Sullivan.

For more information, contact Cynthia Melody at cmelody@scma.org or 707-525-4375.

Presentation on high cost of drugs set for June 13 at Sutter Santa Rosa

Dr. Don Light, an internationally recognized expert on the pharmaceutical industry, is the featured speaker at “Bitter Pill: The High Cost of American Drugs,” an educational presentation scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 13, in the Vesalius Room at Sutter Medical Center of Santa Rosa. Dr. Light will discuss the financial and ethical costs of the pharmaceutical industry and its role in healthcare policy. A panel discussion and question-and-answer session will follow the main presentation.

Dr. Light, a professor of comparative health policy at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, is the author of “The Risks of Prescription Drugs,” published in 2011.

The event, which is sponsored by the Sonoma Chapter of the Physicians for a National Health Plan, is free and open to the public.

June 13 Don Light flyer

Resolutions needed for CMA House of Delegates by June 30

Resolutions for the CMA District 10 caucus are due by June 30. The caucus is the first stop on the way to the CMA House of Delegates, which meets this fall to consider resolutions from around the state. Submitting resolutions to the House of Delegates is the most direct way for members to influence CMA’s policies and activities, including its advocacy agenda. Resolutions can address virtually any medical practice or health-related topic, or any aspect of the policies and activities of organized medicine.

Nominations needed for Physician Leader award

The Northern California Center for Well-Being is soliciting nominations for its annual “physician leader” award, to be presented at the annual Celebration of Dreams event in September. The award recognizes physicians who have made a difference in community well-being by promoting healthy lifestyles.

Nominations are due June 12. To submit a nomination, complete the attached form and fax or email to the Center for Well-Being. For questions, call 575-6043.

Physician Leader nomination form

SCMA hosts two social events during May

May was a busy month for SCMA social events. On May 9, more than 140 local doctors and guests attended the annual SCMA Wine & Cheese Reception at the Francis Ford Coppola Winery in Geyserville. Guests of honor included CMA President Dr. Paul Phinney and CMA board member Dr. Peter Bretan. Then on May 22, nearly all the medical students doing clinical rotations at Kaiser Santa Rosa attended SCMA’s Medical Student Appreciation Social, held at the Third Street Aleworks in downtown Santa Rosa.

Get your 2013 Sonoma County Physician Directory!

One of the many benefits of SCMA membership is a free copy of the annual Sonoma County Physician Directory. Extra copies are a hot commodity, however, and right now is the best time to buy yours before they’re all gone.

The directory costs $30 for SCMA members or $40 for nonmember physicians, health care facilities and the general public. To order by phone with a credit card, contact Rachel Pandolfi at 707-525-4375 or rachel@scma.org. You can also purchase online at www.scma.org/directory, or you can fax or mail the order form below.

Sonoma County Physician Directory order form

Top stories from CMA Alert

Here are the top stories from the latest CMA Alert, the California Medical Association’s biweekly email newsletter. For a free subscription, visit www.cmanet.org/cma-alert.

MEDICAL ORGANIZATIONS

The Advanced Surgery Institute--located at 1739 Fourth St. in Santa Rosa--is holding an open house from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 19. All local physicians are invited to attend the event, which will feature guided tours of the ambulatory surgery center’s operating rooms, along with appetizers and refreshments. To RSVP, contact Brooke Rohrer at 707-528-6331 or brohrer@advancedsurgeryinstitute.com.

Breast tomosynthesis is the latest offering at the Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation Breast Center in Santa Rosa. This new technology employs 3D mammography to help identify abnormalities with more accuracy than traditional mammography. Tomosynthesis is especially helpful for women with dense breast tissue. “The technology helps us determine more effectively whether something is worrisome or a result of overlapping tissue,” said Dr. Arnold Honick, medical director of the Breast Center. He also noted that the technology allows radiologists to detect breast cancer at an earlier stage.

Sonoma Valley Hospital is the latest North Bay hospital to report a data breach on its website. The hospital said that an employee mistakenly uploaded medical information on 1,350 surgical patients to the website on Feb. 14. The information included the patients’ and surgeons’ names, but not any Social Security numbers, licenses or financial details. All the information was removed in April, after the hospital learned about the breach. Last year, a similar breach affected more than 10,000 patients at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital and Napa’s Queen of the Valley Hospital.

RESOURCES

The following CMA webinars are scheduled for June. Webinars begin at 12:15 p.m. and run until 1:15 or later. To register, visit www.cmanet.org. Seminars are free for CMA members and their staff; cost for nonmembers is $99 per person.

A conference on Integrating Mind-Body Medicine into Clinical Practice will be held in San Francisco Oct. 5-9. Sponsored by the Center for Mind-Body Medicine, the conference offers a maximum of 31 Category 1 credits. The focus is on medical techniques to address stress, anxiety, trauma, insomnia and chronic illness. To register, visit www.cmbm.org.

The 21st annual Latino Health Forum runs from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10, at the Flamingo Conference Resort in Santa Rosa. This year’s forum focuses on immigration and healthcare reform and features keynote speakers and morning and afternoon workshops. All local physicians, medical professionals and students interested in medical careers are invited to attend. Cost is just $80 if paid before Sept. 16. Physicians are encouraged to sponsor a student registration for $100. To register, or to sponsor a student registration, visit www.LatinoHealthForum.org.

SCMA members can get registration discounts for the Napa Primary Care Conference: Caring for the Active and Athletic Patient, to be held at the Napa Valley Marriott from Nov. 6 to 10. The conference is designed for physicians and medical professionals who care for active and athletic patients or who themselves lead such a lifestyle. Topics include common medical and musculoskeletal problems, healthy lifestyles and personal wellness. The conference offers up to 16 hours of CME. To register, visit the conference website.

Local physicians are encouraged to refer their patients to self-care classes at the Northern California Center for Well-Being in Santa Rosa.The latest schedule, available at www.norcalwellbeing.org/schedule, includes classes on cardiac rehabilitation, diabetes meal planning, strength training, smoking cessation and many other self-care topics.

CLASSIFIEDS

Family physicians needed

Family medicine positions available with Annadel Medical Group in Sonoma County. Contact James.DeVore@stjoe.org.

Urodynamic monitor--$2900. Like new. Bard 4-channel urodynamic monitor with extra supplies. I left private practice and joined a large group and no longer need this monitor. It is in great condition and was hardly used. I am in the Santa Rosa area but can arrange delivery to other Bay Area locations. Contact Janet at 650-814-7155 or janetpulskamp@comcast.net.

SCMA members get free classifieds!

SCMA members can place free classified ads in News Briefs or Sonoma Medicine. Cost for nonmember physicians and the general public is $1 per word. To place a classified ad, contact Linda McLaughlin at Linda@scma.org or 707-525-4359.

ABOUT SCMA

The Sonoma County Medical Association, a 501(c)(6) nonprofit association, supports local physicians and their efforts to enhance the health of the community. Founded in 1858, SCMA is affiliated with the California Medical Association and the American Medical Association.

RSVP now for May 9 Wine & Cheese Reception

Despite repeated attempts to stop it, time continues to fly, and with it your chance to RSVP for the May 9 SCMA Wine & Cheese Reception. This popular event--to be held at the Francis Ford Coppola Winery in Geyserville--is absolutely free for SCMA members and their spouse or guest. Cost for nonmembers is $55 per person.

To RSVP, contact Rachel Pandolfi at rachel@scma.org or 707-525-4375. The event, which runs from 6 to 8 p.m., features CMA President Dr. Paul Phinney, a Sacramento pediatrician. He will give an informal “President’s Message” touching on what CMA is doing for you, current issues, and opportunities to get involved in SCMA and CMA. For more information, download the flyer below.

Garden Tour to benefit local health programs

All local physicians, along with their families and friends, are urged to attend the annual SCMA Alliance Garden Tour on May 17-18. The tour, which this year features gardens in Petaluma, raises money for local health programs. The particular focus this year is on mental health providers in Petaluma, including Committee on the Shelterless, Petaluma People Services and Hope Counseling. Donations will also be distributed to county-wide programs. Last year’s tour raised more than $50,000.

The event, which costs just $45, features self-guided tours of a half-dozen local gardens, from rural landscapes to urban topiary. Master gardeners will be on hand to answer questions, and talented musicians will entertain. There’s also an art raffle and a restaurant raffle for dinners at almost 20 local eating establishments. The grand prize is a dinner for two with wine pairing at the Michelin-rated Farmhouse Inn in Forestville.

To purchase tickets, visit the SCMA Alliance website at www.scmaa.org.

Dr. Rob Nied nominated as SCMA President-Elect

Dr. Rob Nied, a Santa Rosa family physician, has been nominated as SCMA President-Elect. He heads the list of nominees on this year’s SCMA election ballots, which will be mailed to all members on May 13 and are due back by May 31.

Other physicians nominated to the SCMA board of directors include Drs. Francesca Manfredi (treasurer), Regina Sullivan (secretary), Richard Powers (West County district) and Jan Sonander and Jeff Sugarman (Santa Rosa district). For a complete list of the board of directors, visit www.scma.org/about.

In addition, three physicians--Drs. Dan Lightfoot, Richard Powers and Jeff Sugarman--have been nominated as CMA delegates, and four have been nominated as alternate delegates: Drs. Francesca Manfredi, Rob Nied, Stephen Steady and Regina Sullivan.

For more information, contact Cynthia Melody at cmelody@scma.org or 707-525-4375.

Free skin cancer screenings in Santa Rosa on May 18

Local dermatologists, along with dermatology physician assistants and nurse practitioners, are teaming up to offer free skin cancer screenings from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, at the Vista Health Center, 3569 Round Barn Circle, Santa Rosa. No appointment is necessary, and no treatment will be offered, but recommendations will be made for follow-up if indicated. The event is cosponsored by the Northern California Dermatology Society and the American Academy of Dermatology.

SCMA and SCMA Alliance give $28,000 in health careers scholarships

Ten local students will receive a total of $28,000 in health careers scholarships from SCMA and the SCMA Alliance over the coming year. The recipients include three students already in medical school, as well as four undergraduates and two high school students planning medical careers.

The scholarships were awarded by the SCMA/SCMAA Health Careers Scholarship Committee, which is chaired by Virginia Merwin. Other members include Dr. Elise Sullivan (co-chair), Dr. Brad Drexler, and Alliance members Salley Ebrahim, Pat Anderson, Barbara Ramsey, Joni Schmidt and Lisa Sugarman. Funds for the scholarships are raised through the Holiday Greeting Card project and other Alliance fundraisers.

Physicians converge on Capitol for CMA Leadership Conference

Five Sonoma County physicians--Drs. Peter Bretan, Brad Drexler, Phyllis Senter, Leonard Klay and Catherine Gutfreund--joined more than 400 of their colleagues from throughout the state for CMA’s annual Legislative Leadership Conference on April 16. Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom told the crowd during a morning session that “the issue of healthcare is the dominant challenge we face as it relates to balancing our budget.”

Other morning speakers included CMA President Dr. Paul Phinney, Assemblymember Dr. Richard Pan and Peter Lee, who directs Covered California, the health benefit exchange mandated by the Affordable Care Act. The exchange, which is scheduled to open next January, will allow consumers to compare rates and select health insurance plans.

After lunch, attendees headed off to meet with their legislators in the Capitol, perhaps heeding Dr. Pan’s advice to “talk about what you do every day in your practice--taking care of patients.”

Resolutions needed for CMA House of Delegates by June 30

Resolutions for the CMA District 10 caucus are due by June 30. The caucus is the first stop on the way to the CMA House of Delegates, which meets this fall to consider resolutions from around the state. Submitting resolutions to the House of Delegates is the most direct way for members to influence CMA’s policies and activities, including its advocacy agenda. Resolutions can address virtually any medical practice or health-related topic, or any aspect of the policies and activities of organized medicine.

Get your 2013 Sonoma County Physician Directory!

One of the many benefits of SCMA membership is a free copy of the annual Sonoma County Physician Directory. Extra copies are a hot commodity, however, and right now is the best time to buy yours before they’re all gone.

The directory costs $30 for SCMA members or $40 for nonmember physicians, health care facilities and the general public. To order by phone with a credit card, contact Rachel Pandolfi at 707-525-4375 or rachel@scma.org. You can also purchase online at www.scma.org/directory, or you can fax or mail the order form below.

Leadership Academy heads to Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas

The annual California Health Care Leadership Academy will be held May 31 through June 2 at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas. Presented by CMA, the California Medical Group Management Association and the CMA Foundation, “Increasing the Odds of Success” will cover a variety of issues to help physicians succeed in the rapidly changing health care landscape.

Hear from the experts and leaders of change and attend a comprehensive slate of practice management seminars and workshops to position your practice for success. For details, contact Cynthia Melody at 707-525-4375 or cynthia@scma.org, or visit www.cmanet.org.

Top stories from CMA Alert

Here are the top stories from the latest CMA Alert, the California Medical Association’s biweekly email newsletter. For a free subscription, visit www.cmanet.org/cma-alert.

MEDICAL ORGANIZATIONS

The Healdsburg-based Alliance Medical Center has received a $60,000 grant from Kaiser Permanente to expand the medical center’s clinic in Windsor. The clinic is the town’s sole provider of primary care and pediatric services. Expansion plans include six new exam rooms, an additional medical provider and access to dental screenings.

Santa Rosa Cardiovascular Imaging, which is affiliated with Northern California Medical Associates, has received a three-year accreditation in adult transthoracic echocardiography by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission.

RESOURCES

The latest Medscape Physician Compensation Report finds that orthopedic surgeons were the top-earning specialists nationwide in 2012, with an average annual compensation of $405,000, more than twice as much as psychiatrists, internists, family physicians and pediatricians. The annual survey found that compensation for almost all physicians continued to increase in 2012, with average earnings around the country well in excess of $200,000. To view the complete survey findings, visit www.medscape.com.

The 25th annual Conference on Physician Well-Being will be held in Riverside on May 22. Endorsed by CMA , the conference focuses on legal issues, new drug testing technologies and managing co-occurring disorders. The conference qualifies for 7 hours of Category 1 credit and costs $300. To register, visit www.rcmanet.org/events or contact Tamme Perdue at 951-686-3342 or tperdue@rcmanet.org.

Physicians and office staff of a certain age are encouraged to sign up for the Sonoma Wine Country Senior Games, open to all athletes 50 years and up. The Games, now in their third year, feature competition in 17 different types of sports, from tennis and golf to square dancing and horseshoes. Sponsored by Kaiser Permanente and administered by the Council on Aging, the Games run from May 30 to June 9 at venues around the county. To register, visit www.winecountrygames.com.

A conference on Integrating Mind-Body Medicine into Clinical Practice will be held in San Francisco Oct. 5-9. Sponsored by the Center for Mind-Body Medicine, the conference offers a maximum of 31 Category 1 credits. The focus is on medical techniques to address stress, anxiety, trauma, insomnia and chronic illness. To register, visit www.cmbm.org.

The following CMA webinars are scheduled for April. Webinars begin at 12:15 p.m. and run until 1:15 or later. To register, visit www.cmanet.org. Seminars are free for CMA members and their staff; cost for nonmembers is $99 per person.

CLASSIFIEDS

Psychiatrist wanted

A staff psychiatrist at Sonoma Developmental Center participates in the multidisciplinary team process for the management of individuals with intellectual disabilities. Sonoma Developmental Center is operated by the State of California, Department of Developmental Services, and provides long-term residential services for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The psychiatrist performs psychiatric evaluations, participates in the multidisciplinary team meetings and provides recommendations to the primary care physicians in the psychiatric medication management of complex behavioral problems. The psychiatrist is also available via email and pager for consultation with primary care physicians for urgent clinical issues.

Urodynamic monitor--$2900. Like new. Bard 4-channel urodynamic monitor with extra supplies. I left private practice and joined a large group and no longer need this monitor. It is in great condition and was hardly used. I am in the Santa Rosa area but can arrange delivery to other Bay Area locations. Contact Janet at 650-814-7155 or janetpulskamp@comcast.net.

SCMA members get free classifieds!

SCMA members can place free classified ads in News Briefs or Sonoma Medicine. Cost for nonmember physicians and the general public is $1 per word. To place a classified ad, contact Linda McLaughlin at Linda@scma.org or 707-525-4359.

ABOUT SCMA

The Sonoma County Medical Association, a 501(c)(6) nonprofit association, supports local physicians and their efforts to enhance the health of the community. Founded in 1858, SCMA is affiliated with the California Medical Association and the American Medical Association.

Mark your calendar for the annual SCMA Wine & Cheese Reception, to be held at the Francis Ford Coppola Winery in Geyserville on Thursday evening, May 9. This popular event--which features collegial conversation and a sampling of fine wines and cheeses--is absolutely free for SCMA members and their spouse or guest. Cost for nonmembers is $55 per person.

The event, which runs from 6 to 8 p.m., features CMA President Dr. Paul Phinney, a Sacramento pediatrician. He will give an informal “President’s Message” touching on what CMA is doing for you, current issues, and opportunities to get involved in SCMA and CMA.

Dr. Danielle Oryn of Petaluma will receive the Family Physician of the Year award at the annual Future of Primary Care conference on Wednesday evening, April 3. The event, which runs from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Vista Family Health Center in Santa Rosa, features a lecture by Dr. Wayne Jonas, one of the nation’s leading family physicians. His topic is “Creating optimal healing environments in Sonoma County.”

All local physicians are invited to attend this free event, which is sponsored by the North Bay chapters of the California Academy of Family Physicians. Space is limited, however, so RSVPs are required. Light refreshments will be served.

Want to make your voice heard in state government? If so, you’re invited to attend CMA’s free Legislative Leadership Conference in Sacramento on Tuesday, April 16--one day after income taxes are due. Hundreds of physicians from all over California attend this annual event.

The morning includes speeches from key legislative leaders. Speakers for 2013 haven’t been confirmed yet, but last year Gov. Brown addressed the conference. In the afternoon, attendees go to the Capitol to meet with their legislators on health care issues.

To RSVP for the conference, contact Rachel Pandolfi at 707-525-4375 or rachel@scma.org.

The 2013 Sonoma County Physician Directory is now available for sale. This exhaustive reference book gives contact and specialty information for almost every doctor currently practicing in Sonoma County, along with detailed photographic listings for SCMA members and a useful compendium of medical resources. The familiar spiral-bound book is heavily used by local medical offices.

Each SCMA member receives one free copy of the directory. Extra copies cost $30 for SCMA members or $40 for nonmember physicians, health care facilities, and the general public. To order by phone with a credit card, contact Rachel Pandolfi at 707-525-4375 or rachel@scma.org. You can also purchase online at www.scma.org/directory, or you can fax or mail the order form below.

Due to popular demand, the iWALK Challenge is back! This popular springtime activity is part of a broad-based effort to make Sonoma County the healthiest county in California.

The iWALK Challenge is simply a commitment to exercise. Over a 10-week period, individuals commit to get at least 150 minutes of exercise each week. That breaks down to just 30 minutes a day, five days a week. Any type of exercise counts, including swimming, biking, running, walking, hiking or dancing.

This year’s iWALK Challenge runs from March 4 to May 11, ending on the day of the Human Race. Participants can use the iWALK Challenge to train for that popular event. Registration for the iWALK Challenge is completely free and helps support the countywide movement to reduce obesity through exercise. To register, visit www.iWALKsonoma.org and click on the iWALK Challenge button. For more details, contact Becky Lunders at info@iwalksonoma.org or 707-793-0933.

The annual California Health Care Leadership Academy will be held May 31 through June 2 at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas. Presented by CMA, the California Medical Group Management Association and the CMA Foundation, “Increasing the Odds of Success” will cover a variety of issues to help physicians succeed in the rapidly changing health care landscape.

Hear from the experts and leaders of change and attend a comprehensive slate of practice management seminars and workshops to position your practice for success. For details, contact Cynthia Melody at 707-525-4375 or cynthia@scma.org, or visit www.cmanet.org.

A benefit screening of “The Healthcare Movie,” a 65-minute documentary narrated by Kiefer Sutherland, will be held at the Rialto Cinemas in Sebastopol at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 25. The movie tells the story of how the Canadian healthcare system turned out to be so different from the system in the United States. Years ago, the systems were essentially the same, but they have since diverged dramatically.

Following the screening, local representatives of the Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP) will lead a discussion on how the Affordable Care Act can help make healthcare accessible and affordable. All proceeds from the event will benefit PNHP education and advocacy efforts.

Tickets are just $7 and are available at the Rialto Cinemas box office or online at www.rialtocinemas.com. For more information, contact Stan Gold at sngold@juno.com or download the flyer below.

Orthopedic surgeons Dr. Michael Grafe and Dr. Alex Iezza were recently honored by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency for their life-saving surgeries on two customs agents who were shot with an assault rifle in Petaluma last May. The agents, who were investigating a gang-related triple homicide, were rushed to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital after the assault. “The healthcare professionals who attended to our wounded agents are truly the unsung heroes of last year’s shooting,” said Special Agent Clark Settles. “There is no question the extraordinary care our investigators received from the medical team helped prevent the loss of life.” In addition to Drs. Grafe and Iezza, the agency honored nurses Isabel Cavalli and Tiffany Oliver, who helped treat the wounded agents.

Dr. Danielle Oryn, a Petaluma family physician, has been named the Sonoma County Family Physician of the Year by the North Bay chapters of the California Academy of Family Physicians. Oryn will receive her award at the April 3 Future of Family Medicine conference in Santa Rosa.

Dr. Jose-Mario Fontanilla has joined Kaiser Santa Rosa as a specialist in infectious diseases. A graduate of the University of the Philippines Medical School, he completed a residency in internal medicine at the University of Connecticut and a fellowship in infectious disease at Dartmouth, where he also received an MPH in quality improvement.

Dr. Roger Barron, a longtime Santa Rosa allergist who retired just two years ago, died in March at the age of 68. For many years he and his partner Dr. Michael Martin were the only allergists in the county, and they maintained offices in Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park and Petaluma. Barron was well known for spending extra time with patients, and also for his devotion to several charitable causes, including Global Partners, Beyond War and Save the Children. He also traveled to Africa and other far-flung locations to help out with medical missions. A celebration of his life will be held on Sunday, April 7, at the Paradise Ridge Winery in Santa Rosa.

The Jewish Community Free Clinic in Rohnert Park needs physician volunteers to provide free medical care to patients without health insurance. There is a particular need for family physicians, internists and pediatricians. Typical commitments are for one evening per month or every other month. To volunteer, contact Deborah Roberts, RN, at 707-585-7780 or robertde@sonoma.edu. For more information, visit www.jewishfreeclinic.org.

The Kaiser Santa Rosa Family Medicine Residency has been accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and is expected to admit its first group of six residents in July 2014. Residency Director Dr. Walt Mills described Kaiser Santa Rosa as “an ideal place to train the next generation of family medicine physicians,” noting that the medical center has a commitment to primary care and an integrated care model. Physician-in-chief Dr. Kirk Pappas added, “We are now a center of medical education, and our new Family Medicine Residency Program will continue to make us a major teaching facility.”

The following CMA webinars are scheduled for April. Webinars begin at 12:15 p.m. and run until 1:15 or later. To register, visit www.cmanet.org. Seminars are free for CMA members and their staff; cost for nonmembers is $99 per person.

On April 1, UnitedHealth Military & Veterans Services (UMVS) began providing managed care services to 2.9 million TRICARE beneficiaries in the 21 western states, including California. UVMS took over the contract previously held by TriWest. To help physicians understand the impact the transition will have on their practices, CMA has published a toolkit, TRICARE Transition Guide: What physicians need to know. The toolkit is available free to members at www.cmanet.org. Questions about the TRICARE transition should be directed to CMA’s Center for Economic Services at 916-551-2061.

The 20th annual HIV/AIDS Review will be held from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 13, at the Hilton Hotel, 3555 Round Barn Blvd., Santa Rosa. Topics include HIV elimination, substance use and HIV, and psycho-social issues of aging. The event qualifies for up to 5 hours of Category 1 credit. For information and reservations, contact Danielle Jones at 707-303-8904 or danielle.jones@ucsf.edu.

Physicians and office staff of a certain age are encouraged to sign up for the Sonoma Wine Country Senior Games, open to all athletes 50 years and up. The Games, now in their third year, feature competition in 17 different types of sports, from tennis and golf to square dancing and horseshoes. Sponsored by Kaiser Permanente and administered by the Council on Aging, the Games run from May 30 to June 9 at venues around the county. To register, visit www.winecountrygames.com.

Family physicians needed. Family medicine positions available with Annadel Medical Group in Sonoma County. Contact James.DeVore@stjoe.org.

Physician wanted. Physicians: Retired w/license? Want to cut back to one or two days a week? Rewarding alternative care office in Marin County looking for California licensed MD for consultative work. Part time, excellent compensation. Contact James Gould at 760-703-3767 or james@greenleafcare.com.

Medical office space for lease, Santa Rosa. Newly remodeled medical office with exam rooms available for clinician to see patients. Located on N. Dutton Ave. near West College. Parking, reception area, utilities included. For details, visit www.facebook.com/SantaRosaSportsAndFamilyMedicine. Contact Len at 707-529-8081 or len@srsportsmed.com.

Urodynamic monitor for sale. Urodynamic monitor--$2900. Like new. Bard 4-channel urodynamic monitor with extra supplies. I left private practice and joined a large group and no longer need this monitor. It is in great condition and was hardly used. I am in the Santa Rosa area but can arrange delivery to other Bay Area locations. Contact Janet at 650-814-7155 or janetpulskamp@comcast.net.

SCMA members get free classifieds! SCMA members can place free classified ads in News Briefs or Sonoma Medicine. Cost for nonmember physicians and the general public is $1 per word. To place a classified ad, contact Linda McLaughlin at Linda@scma.org or 707-525-4359.

The Sonoma County Medical Association, a 501(c)(6) nonprofit association, supports local physicians and their efforts to enhance the health of the community. Founded in 1858, SCMA is affiliated with the California Medical Association and the American Medical Association.

SCMA is supporting a measure requiring fluoridation of the water supplied by the Sonoma County Water Agency and other local water systems. In a Feb. 20 letter to the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors and members of several local city councils and water districts, SCMA President Dr. Walt Mills noted that, “This measure will have a significant impact on reducing health disparities and improving the oral health of our children and of Sonoma County residents of all ages.”

The letter was submitted prior to a contentious Board of Supervisors meeting on Feb. 26, during which both advocates and opponents of fluoridation spoke at length. Among the speakers was Health Officer Dr. Lynn Silver Chalfin, who noted that on a typical day about a dozen local children need general anesthesia for treatment of severe dental disease. She also described a CDC study finding that every dollar spent on fluoridation results in $38 in savings on dental care.

At the end of the meeting, the supervisors voted unanimously to authorize a financial analysis and engineering studies on the fluoridation measure. The process of making a final decision on fluoridation is expected to take about a year. During that time, SCMA members are encouraged to contact their county supervisor or city council members to discuss the fluoridation proposal. As Dr. Mills observed in a separate letter to local physicians, “Fluoridation in Sonoma County will not happen without the active support of the local health care community.”

In preparation for the upcoming SCMA election, all members are urged to submit nominations for leadership positions by March 15. Nominees must be SCMA members in good standing. Nominations are requested for the following positions:

• SCMA executive team (3): president-elect, treasurer, and secretary

• SCMA board representatives from West County (1), and Santa Rosa (2)

• CMA delegates (3)

• CMA alternate delegates (5)

All positions require a three-year commitment, beginning July 1. Nominations can be emailed to cynthia@scma.org, faxed to 707-525-4328, or mailed to SCMA, 2901 Cleveland Ave. #202, Santa Rosa, CA 95403. Each nomination should include a brief statement about the nominee’s qualifications.

Wayne Jonas, MD, one of the nation’s leading family physicians, will speak at the Vista Family Health Center in Santa Rosa on Wednesday evening, April 3. Currently president and CEO of the Samueli Institute, a nonprofit research organization, Dr. Jonas previously headed the Office of Alternative Medicine at the National Institute of Health. He teaches at Georgetown University and the Uniformed Services University and is a widely published researcher.

For his Santa Rosa appearance, Jonas will discuss “Creating optimal healing environments in Sonoma County.” All local physicians are invited to attend this free event, which runs from 6 to 8 p.m. and is sponsored by the North Bay chapters of the California Academy of Family Physicians. Space is limited, however, so RSVPs are required. Light refreshments will be served.

Dr. Davis (Crescent City) and Dr. Bretan (Novato) are the District X trustees on the CMA board of trustees.

Your District X trustees attended the Jan. 24-25 meeting of the CMA board of trustees (BOT) in San Diego. Most of the meeting was conducted without much debate and included correspondence and business of the Institute for Medical Quality, the CALPAC board of directors, and the Medical Education Debt technical advisory committee. Informational reports were presented from the AMA delegation, the CMA Foundation, and the CMA Alliance. The BOT also heard reports from the Council on Legislation regarding proposed legislation for 2013. CMA’s president, executive committee and CEO reported on membership (we now represent more than 37,000 physicians in California), the California Health Benefit Exchange, CMA’s economic services, the Policy Center, federal issues, and on CMA’s strategic plan, budget and legal issues.

The biggest discussion was about supporting the Medicare geographic adjustment factor (GAF) for implementing the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid increase for primary care. The GAF will in part use the flawed calculations similar to the GPCI adjustments we are all so familiar with in District X. We realized that not to accept the Medicare GAF would be accepting much less increase for our primary care members, so we adopted this compromise. This action will ultimately bring a lot more reimbursement to CMA’s primary care members.

At a board retreat immediately following the BOT meeting, USC Economics Professor Dave Logan--co-author of “Tribal Leadership: Leveraging Natural Groups to Build a Thriving Organization”--led a discussion about how the CMA board can foster a culture of cooperation without forsaking individual consciences. Afterward, CMA Chief Executive Dustin Corcoran gave a presentation on “Activity Based Costing (ABC) System for CMA.” He explained that the ABC system will provide a high level of accuracy about the real costs of products and services. CMA will be moving to this system to get a better method for analyzing the real costs of each part of CMA. The system will allow CMA to best utilize its limited resources and plan better for the future of the organization.

Dr. Bretan learned a lot about the BOT in his first meeting as a District X delegate. He realized that the BOT is composed of incredibly talented physicians working together in a culture of teamwork and respect, with a commitment to recognizing the smallest voice. He is optimistic and looks forward to working with so many committed colleagues on the board. We both agree that together we can help bring CMA to a bright future.

Want to make your voice heard in state government? If so, you’re invited to attend CMA’s free Legislative Leadership Conference in Sacramento on Tuesday, April 16--one day after income taxes are due. Hundreds of physicians from all over California attend this annual event.

The morning includes speeches from key legislative leaders. Speakers for 2013 haven’t been confirmed yet, but last year Gov. Brown addressed the conference. In the afternoon, attendees go to the Capitol to meet with their legislators on health care issues.

To RSVP for the conference, contact Cynthia Melody at cmelody@scma.org or 707-525-4375. She will arrange for transportation to Sacramento.

Due to popular demand, the iWALK Challenge is back! This popular springtime activity is part of a broad-based effort to make Sonoma County the healthiest county in California.

The iWALK Challenge is simply a commitment to exercise. Over a 10-week period, individuals commit to get at least 150 minutes of exercise each week. That breaks down to just 30 minutes a day, five days a week. Any type of exercise counts, including swimming, biking, running, walking, hiking or dancing.

This year’s iWALK Challenge runs from March 4 to May 11, ending on the day of the Human Race. Participants can use the iWALK Challenge to train for that popular event. Registration for the iWALK Challenge is completely free and helps support the countywide movement to reduce obesity through exercise. To register, visit www.iWALKsonoma.org and click on the iWALK Challenge button. For more details, contact Becky Lunders at info@iwalksonoma.org or 707-793-0933.

All local physicians and their spouses or guests are invited to SCMA’s annual wine-and-cheese reception, scheduled for Thursday evening, May 9. This popular event--which features collegial conversation and a sampling of fine wines and cheeses--is absolutely free for both SCMA members and nonmembers.

CMA President Dr. Paul Phinney, a Sacramento pediatrician, will give an informal “president’s message” touching on what CMA is doing for you, current issues, and opportunities to get involved in CMA, followed by a question-and-answer period.

The location is still to be determined, but the date has been confirmed. To RSVP, contact Rachel Pandolfi at rachel@scma.org or 707-525-4375.

Nonprofit health organizations in Sonoma County are encouraged to apply for Community Grants from the Pacific Foundation for Medical Care. The grants, generally in the $10,000 range, are awarded twice a year by the nonprofit foundation to support local projects that enhance health services. The application deadline for the next round of grants is April 2. For application materials, contact Kathy Pass at 707-525-4281 or kpass@rhs.org. For more information, visit www.pfmc.org.

The annual California Health Care Leadership Academy will be held May 31 through June 2 at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas. Presented by CMA, the California Medical Group Management Association and the CMA Foundation, “Increasing the Odds of Success” will cover a variety of issues to help physicians succeed in the rapidly changing health care landscape.

Hear from the experts and leaders of change and attend a comprehensive slate of practice management seminars and workshops to position your practice for success. For details, contact Roger Purdy at rpurdy@cmanet.org or 916-444-5532.

Dr. David Lightfoot, a Santa Rosa ophthalmologist, is the lucky winner of a new iPad for completing the recent SCMA strategic planning survey. More than 180 local physicians participated in the survey, which included questions about SCMA’s role in enhancing community health. Survey results will be used by the SCMA board of directors to develop a strategic plan for 2013 and beyond.

Dr. Milton Antipa, who practiced urology in Santa Rosa for nearly 50 years, died in February at the age of 91. Born to Greek-American restaurateurs in San Francisco, he graduated from medical school at UC Berkeley and completed a urology residency at Stanford. He served on an army hospital ship during World War II and then opened a practice in San Francisco. He and his wife, Billie, moved to Santa Rosa in 1954. In addition to his thriving practice, Antipa managed his family’s 70-acre ranch on Wallace Road and was also a skilled sailor.

Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital has opened an Outpatient Diagnostic Cardiology Clinic in partnership with eight local cardiologists, including Drs. John Hunter, John Reed, Patrick Devlin, Tomas Vasiliauskas, Emily Conway, Joel Erickson, Jose Ballesteros and William Bowden. The clinic offers echocardiograms, nuclear stress tests and stress echocardiograms. “We have sought to create a patient-centered environment,” said Dr. Hunter, “where those who are tested can benefit from the same sophisticated imaging they’d receive in the hospital, but with easier, quicker access and more affordable pricing.” The new clinic comes on the heels of the hospital’s majority purchase of the Advanced Surgery Institute, an ambulatory surgery center just east of downtown Santa Rosa. The hospital will co-own the facility with 19 physician investors and Regent Surgical Health, a surgery management company.

Sutter Health’s Breast Center, located for several years on Steele Lane in Santa Rosa, has moved north to the Sutter Health Plaza at 3883 Airway Drive. The new facility is adjacent to Sutter’s Advanced Imaging Center, which opened in January. The Breast Center features a state-of-the-art wide-bore MRI scanner and a stereotactic system that can be used for both standard mammography and prone stereotactic biopsies.

The Annadel Medical Group has opened an after-hours primary care clinic at 52 Mission Circle, near the intersection of Mission Boulevard and Highway 12 in Santa Rosa. The clinic is open from 5 to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Drs. Herb Brosbe, Marisha Lockwood-Chilcott and Jenny Sullivan will staff the clinic, which will offer same-day and walk-in appointments for non-emergency conditions. “Medicine needs to be more customer-oriented,” said Dr. Lockwood-Chilcott. “This type of expansion and shift in medicine is absolutely required if we are to more fully meet patients’ needs.”

The following CMA webinars are scheduled for March. Webinars begin at 12:15 p.m. and run until 1:15 or later. To register, visit www.cmanet.org. Seminars are free for CMA members and their staff; cost for nonmembers is $99 per person.

• Fraud and abuse: dangers and defenses (March 6)

• Essentials for ICD-10-CM: Part 1 (March 7)

• Utilizing the new SDI online system (March 13)

• Essentials for ICD-10-CM: Part 2 (March 14)

• EHR selection: Top 10 tips for success (March 20)

• Essentials for ICD-10-CM: Part 3 (March 21)

• Successful Medi-Cal provider enrollment (March 27)

The 20th annual HIV/AIDS Review will be held from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 13, at the Hilton Hotel in Santa Rosa. Speakers includes Drs. Marshall Kubota, Danny Toub and Andy Desruisseau. For information and reservations, call the North Coast AIDS Center at 707-303-8904.

Family medicine positions available with Annadel Medical Group in Sonoma County. Contact James.DeVore@stjoe.org.

Physician wanted

Physicians: Retired w/license? Want to cut back to one or two days a week? Rewarding alternative care office in Marin County looking for California licensed MD for consultative work. Part time, excellent compensation. Contact James Gould at 760-703-3767 or james@greenleafcare.com.

SCMA members can place free classified ads in News Briefs or Sonoma Medicine. Cost for nonmember physicians and the general public is $1 per word. To place a classified ad, contact Linda McLaughlin at Linda@scma.org or 707-525-4359.

The Sonoma County Medical Association, a 501(c)(6) nonprofit association, supports local physicians and their efforts to enhance the health of the community. Founded in 1858, SCMA is affiliated with the California Medical Association and the American Medical Association.